The Datalocker Sentry K350 is not your average encrypted USB drive. With hardcore encryption, rugged construction, and an onboard interface, this drive means business for protecting your sensitive data.
In an age of rampant data breaches and cyber threats, protecting sensitive information is more critical than ever. For enterprises and government agencies handling classified data, uncompromising security is an absolute necessity.
That's where the Datalocker Sentry K350 comes in. As the latest offering in Datalocker's portfolio of encrypted drives, the K350 takes data protection to the next level.
So what makes the K350 stand out in the world of encrypted USB drives? In this detailed review, I'll give you an in-depth look at the drive's security, design, features, and performance. By the end, you'll know if the K350 is the right choice for your most sensitive data.
Getting Started
Getting up and running with the K350 is straightforward, thanks to the drive's onboard interface.
To activate the drive:
- Press and hold the power button (back arrow icon) for 3 seconds.
- Enter your admin PIN when prompted, then press the return arrow.
- Re-enter your PIN to confirm, then press return again.
Once unlocked, you can choose from different operating modes:
- Connect: Regular plug-and-play mode
- Read Only: View but don't modify data
- Boot Mode: Boot a PC from the drive
- Menu: Access admin settings
For routine use, just select “Connect” and you're good to go. Easy peasy.
Built for Security
Now let's get into what really makes the K350 unique: its uncompromising security.
The K350 utilizes FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified encryption, the highest validation level for cryptographic modules. This means the K350 adheres to rigorous security standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Military-Grade AES 256-bit XTS Encryption
At the core of the K350's security is hardware-based AES 256-bit XTS encryption. This is a military-grade algorithm that encrypts your data with a 256-bit encryption key. The XTS mode applies the encryption to each data block individually, strengthening security even further.
Unlike software encryption which can impact transfer speeds, the K350 has a dedicated crypto processor that handles encryption without performance penalties. Keys are also generated on the fly for every session, preventing attacks that leverage reused keys.
Brute Force Protection
To thwart brute force password cracking attempts, the K350 allows you to set a limit on the number of failed login attempts. Once the limit is reached, the drive will cryptographically erase all data – no more guessing!
Admins can set the attempt limit from the onboard menu. The default is 15 attempts but you can adjust as needed.
Tamper Evident Design
Opening the rugged aluminum casing physically breaks the tamper-evident seal on the inside. This prevents evildoers from physically accessing the encryption module undetected.
Rugged for Real-World Use
The K350 is built tough for life on the go:
- Aluminum enclosure – Provides heat dissipation and impact resistance
- IP67 rating – Withstands dust and immersion in 1m of water
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 – Validated for physical security requirements like tamper evidence
This drive is ready for real-world use and abuse! Whether it takes a trip through the wash or gets dropped on a concrete floor, the K350 will keep on ticking.
Onboard Interface
Here's where the K350 really differentiates itself – the onboard interface.
The drive features a small LED display and a joystick button. This allows you to:
- Enter passcodes directly on the device
- Choose connection modes
- Configure security options
- Initiate emergency sanitization
It's like having a built-in control panel!
The interface makes working with the K350 much more intuitive. No more fiddling with software to unlock or manage the drive. Just use the onboard controls instead.
Seamless Remote Management
For advanced management capabilities, the K350 works with Datalocker's SafeConsole software.
SafeConsole allows IT admins to:
- Enforce password policies
- Remotely reset forgotten passwords
- Remotely wipe drives that go missing
- Configure auto-lock settings
- Check drive health status
- And more…
The software integrates seamlessly with the onboard interface. This gives you the best of both worlds – ease of use on the device itself plus advanced remote controls.
Speeds Up to 300MB/s
With encrypted USB drives, performance often suffers due to the encryption overhead. But with the K350's dedicated crypto processor, speeds stay snappy:
- Reads: Up to 300MB/s
- Writes: Up to 200MB/s
Benchmark Performance
With a dedicated crypto processor, speeds stay snappy:
- CrystalDiskMark: 228.19MB/s read, 83.72MB/s write
- AS SSD: 234MB/s read, 85MB/s write
- ATTO: Up to 244MB/s read, 201MB/s write
Who Should Use the Datalocker Sentry K350?
With its uncompromising encryption and rugged build, the K350 is ideal for:
- Government Agencies – Protect classified data from compromise
- Military Personnel – Safeguard sensitive information in the field
- Enterprise Users – Secure intellectual property and customer data
Wherever ultra-sensitive data resides, the K350 has you covered. The onboard interface also makes the drive very user-friendly, minimizing training requirements.
Pricing and Availability
Datalocker offers the Sentry K350 through various outlet partners. Pricing varies considerably based on capacity and source. Here are some buying options for reference:
I would recommend reaching out to Datalocker or an authorized reseller to get an exact quote based on your specific needs. Quantity discounts may also be available for bulk orders.
Wrapping up
The Datalocker Sentry K350 takes encrypted USB drives to the next level. With rigorous FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification, AES 256-bit XTS encryption, and brute force protection, this drive offers hardcore security.
The unique onboard interface also streamlines drive management without compromising security. Coupled with Datalocker's SafeConsole software, you get the best of both worlds.
While the K350 commands a premium price, its uncompromising security and intuitive interface make it well worth the investment for enterprises and government agencies. If your use case demands the strongest protection, the K350 has you covered.
Overall, the Datalocker Sentry K350 sets the new standard for encrypted USB drives. Its uncompromising security with innovative onboard control.
